scenes, odd adventures, and excellent jokes. To discuss all these in a transient interview at an inn was impossible; and finding that I was not pressed for time, and was merely making a tour of observation, he insisted that I should give him a day or two at his father's country seat, to which he was going to pass the holydays, and which lay a few miles distance. "It is better than eating a solitary Christmas dinner at an inn," said he, "and I can assure you of a hearty welcome in something of the old fashioned style." His reasoning was cogent, and I must confess the preparation I had seen for universal festivity and social enjoyment had made me feel a little impatient of my loneliness. I closed, therefore, at once, with his invitation; the chaise drove up to the door, and in a few moments I was on my way to the family mansion of the Bracebridges.

CHRISTMAS EVE.

Saint Francis and Saint Benedight
Blesse this house from wicked wight;
From the night-mare and the goblin,
That is hight good fellow Robin;
Keep it from all evil spirits,

Fairies, weezels, rats, and ferrets;

From curfew time

To the next prime.

CARTWRIGHT.

Ir was a brilliant moonlight night, but extremely cold; our chaise whirled rapidly over the frozen ground; the post-boy smacked his whip incessantly, and a part of the time his horses were on a gallop. "He knows where he is going," said my companion, laughing, "and is eager to arrive in time for some of the merriment and good cheer of the servants' hall. My father, you must know, is a bigoted devotee

scenes, odd adventures, and excellent jol
To discuss all these in a transient interview
an inn was impossible; and finding that I
not pressed for time, and was merely maki
tour of observation, he insisted that I sh
give him a day or two at his father's cou
seat, to which he was going to pass the h
days, and which lay a few miles distance.
is better than eating a solitary Christmas di
at an inn," said he, "and I can assure yo
a hearty welcome in something of the
fashioned style." His reasoning was cog

and I must confess the preparation I had

for universal festivity and social enjoyment made me feel a little impatient of my lonelir

aight, but

I closed, therefore, at once, with his invitati red rapidly the chaise drove up to the door, and in a toy smacke

moments I was on my way to the family

sion of the Bracebridges.

n

part of the ti

"He knows

companion, la

te in time for son

cheer of the serv know, is a bigot

the hundredth time, that picture of convenience, neatness, and broad honest enjoyment, the kitchen of an English inn. It was of spacious dimensions, hung round with copper and tin vessels highly polished, and decorated here and there with a Christmas green. Hams, tongues, and flitches of bacon, were suspended from the ceiling; a smoke-jack made its ceaseless clanking beside the fire-place, and a clock ticked in one corner. A well-scoured deal table extended along one side of the kitchen, with a cold round of beef, and other hearty viands, upon it, over which two foaming tankards of ale seemed mounting guard. Travellers of inferior order were preparing to attack this stout repast, while others sat smoking and gossiping over their ale on two high-backed oaken settles beside the fire. Trim housemaids were hurrying backwards and forwards under the directions of a fresh bustling landlady; but still seizing an occasional moment to exchange a flippant word, and have a rallying laugh, with